Propane Heater will not Stay Lit? Check Out 5 Fixes of It

Just imagine. You’re having free time after so many weeks. So, just to chill a bit, you’ve decided to sit in your long chair on your backyard. But as soon as you go outside, a chill wind goes right through your bones making the whoosh noises. 

Instantly you go for the patio heater to save your day. But unfortunately, your patio heater seems to be out of order. The patio heater will not stay lit. 

It’s not rare to be in this kind of situation. In fact, it’s pretty common. Guess what! This problem is fixable. Moreover, you can fix it by yourself. All you need is the proper knowledge, the right tools, and some determination.

We’ve crafted out some full-fledged fixing methods for this particular problem. Now, let’s heat our way into the details without wasting any more time-

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Necessary Items

To finish up this job properly, you need to gather up some necessary items at first. You don’t want to go out to gather these once you’re into the fix job. So, let’s look at the items-

1. Screwdriver set (Our Pick: DEWALT Screwdriver Bit Set)
2. Pliers or wrench (Our Pick: High Leverage Pliers or Channellock Adjustable Wrench )
3. Detergent (Our Pick: Tide PODS Detergent)
4. Microfiber towel (Our Pick: AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth)
5.  Scrubbing Sponge (Our Pick: O-Cedar Multi-Use Scrunge Scrub Sponge)
6. Soap Water (Our Pick: Chemical Guys Car Wash Soap and Shampoo)
7. A water hose and water connection

5 Methods to follow When Patio Heater will not Stay Lit

Method 1: Modifying the Setup

Most of the time, the patio heater doesn’t stay lit just because of the placement. Keeping the heater out in the open might sometimes cause this problem. 

However, there are some ways to fix your heater placement. If you’re having drizzle on your area, then put the heater inside a canopy or sunshade. To protect the heater from wind, you can place it in front of a wind barrier. A common wind barrier is tall walls. However, if the wind is pretty harsh, you should put the heater inside a shed or a garage. 

An all-weather suitable place for placing the heater can be wall corners. However, you have to modify the place a bit. Put a canopy over the corner and a fence on one side. You can place your long chair on the open side. 

Method 2: Pilot Cleaning

If your patio heater doesn’t work even after covering from the wind and everything, then it’s probably the patio heater pilot problem. buildups like spider webs, dirt, and oil result in patio heater flame problems. 

To solve this, you must follow these steps-

1. Turn off your patio heater gas
2. Take the sponge and soak it in detergent water
3. Wipe the top of the heater with the sponge
4. Use the microfiber towel to clean off the dirt and webs. 

Wait for half an hour so that the heater becomes all dried up. After that turn it on and see if the heater ignites perfectly.

Method 3: Thermocouple Cleaning

If the 2nd method doesn’t work then you can try cleaning the thermocouple. However, it takes around 4 to 5 years for the thermocouple to get cogged. Normally the blockage gets build up with dirt and insects. 

So, how to solve this? Well, here too you have to follow a couple of steps. 

1. Locate the protective flame screen and remove it. 
2. Locate the thermocouple nut and unscrew it with a screwdriver.
3. Pull out your patio heater thermocouple.
4. Rinse the thermocouple with a water hose. 
5. Let the thermocouple air dry. 
6. Reconnect your thermocouple.

This will let your heater gas travel easier and as a result, your flame will stay lit. 

Method 4: Patio Heater Orifice Cleaning

This part is so thin that you can compare it with human hair. Sometimes this part gets clogged. When this happens the pilot flame stops burning strongly. So, the thermocouple doesn’t activate. As a result, the thermocouple turns off the gas and your burner go out.

You might think of throwing it off and getting a new one. Like who cleans something as thin as a hair?

Let’s take you through the process and you’ll understand the rest-

1. Shut off the gas connection.
2. Use the screwdriver and start removing the burner shield screws, the top covering screws. 
3. Set those parts aside after removing them.
4. Locate the control knob and remove it (just pull it straight off). 
5. See if there’s a panel behind the pulled-out knob. Remove it. You’ll see the gas valve assembly. 
6. Remove the bottom pilot light cover. As a result, your pilot light assembly bottom will get exposed. 
7. Locate the pilot assemble holding screw and remove it. 
8. Gently pull the gas line out of the pilot assembly housing. 
9. Remove the hex nut that connects the gas line to the pilot assembly. Now gently pull out the gas line. 
10. Reconnect the gas connection but remember to move it away from the ignitor. 
11. Replace the control knob temporarily and turn it to the ‘Pilot’ position. Push in the knob. Listen if there’s a hissing sound. If not then you have a problem with the gas valve.
12. Remove the orifice or the pilot light tube from the mounting bracket. 
13. Blast some compressed air through the tube. Or use a single strand of wire and run it through the tube. 

Put everything back together perfectly. We hope that your heater will stay lit.

Method 5: Loose Gas Valve Checkup

The gas valve is responsible for controlling the heater’s gas pressure. So, it’s possible that a problem in here leads to flame disturbance. If the other methods don’t work, then try to reconnect your loose gas valve. 

In this phase, you’ll need that wrench or the pliers that we talked about. 

Use any tool you find comfortable to tighten or lose the gas valve. Basically, you have to readjust it. See if the valve is too loose or too tight. If it’s too loose then adjust it to a mid-point. Do the same if it’s too tight. 

Bottom Line

These methods are also the solution to an outdoor propane heater won’t stay lit. Take proper safety measures and follow these methods flawlessly. 

Your heater will be back in shape in no time. Good luck.